Director of Registration and Accreditation Services

Job Description

National Council for Higher Education
VACANCY: DIRECTOR OF REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION SERVICES (DRAS)

The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) is Malawi’s higher education regulator, established by the NCHE Act No. 15 of 2011 (CAP 30:12). Its mandates include promoting and coordinating higher education institutions; registering and de-registering higher education institutions; harmonizing student selection for public universities; regulating, determining, and maintaining standards for teaching, examinations, academic qualifications, and academic facilities;

developing a national qualifications framework compatible with regional and international standards; determining minimum criteria and procedures for the registration and de-registration of higher education institutions; accrediting both public and private higher education institutions; and designing and recommending to the Minister institutional quality assurance standards for the establishment, standardization, and accreditation of higher education institutions, including standards for teaching and learning, infrastructure, physical plant and equipment, curriculum development, libraries and learning resource centers, the safety of teaching and learning facilities, and student transfer between programs and higher education institutions. The Council is inviting applications from suitably qualified, experienced and distinguished Malawian professionals to be considered for the position of Director of Registration and Accreditation Services, which has fallen vacant.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the CEO in Grade NC2, the Director of Registration and Accreditation Services is responsible for registering and accrediting higher education institutions and programmes in Malawi, in addition to the day-to-day operations of the Directorate of Registration and Accreditation Services. The ideal candidate will set the strategic direction and decisions for the entire department, supervise and allocate duties to the heads of divisions to facilitate quality promotion in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and make recommendations on frameworks for collaboration, partnerships and networks.

Key duties include:

• Developing and reviewing minimum criteria for registration and accreditation of HEIs and programmes;
• Providing leadership and oversight for the evaluation and inspection of proposals to establish higher education institutions in Malawi;
• Evaluating the performance of higher education institutions for accreditation purposes;
• Providing technical advice to management of HEIs on the requirements for registration and accreditation of institutions and programmes;
• Validating and ensuring timely update of the directory on licensed Student Recruitment Agencies, registered and accredited higher education institutions and programmes;
• Coordinating networking, partnerships, linkages and benchmarking with relevant bodies locally and internationally for exchange of best practices in registration and accreditation;
• Providing timely, constructive and objective feedback to higher education institutions on the registration and accreditation process;
• Developing and monitoring implementation of departmental work plans regarding the establishment of higher education institutions;
• Overseeing the development and execution of performance contracting and annual work plans;
• Ensuring that amendments to charters of higher education institutions are timely processed;
• Compiling a consolidated report of the Department; and
• Serving as Secretary to the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Committee (QAAC) of the Council.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate must possess the following qualifications:

1. A doctoral degree (PhD) from an accredited institution, preferably in the field of education, higher education management, quality assurance, curriculum development, or a related discipline.
2. A Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as education, higher education administration, quality assurance, or a related discipline.
3. A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as Education, Social Sciences, Humanities, or a related discipline.
4. Professional training or certification in quality assurance, accreditation, higher education management, or a related area would be an added advantage.
5. Thorough knowledge of legal instruments used for registration and accreditation of higher education institutions.

WORK EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate must have:

1. At least 8 years’ experience in a senior academic leadership and management position(s) in higher education institutions.
2. Alternatively, at least 3 years’ experience serving as a Deputy Director (Registration or Accreditation) in a higher education regulatory body or institution.
3. Proven track record in research, development and management in the higher education sector.
4. Evidence of published articles in refereed journals or books focusing on higher education.
5. Demonstrated experience in leading accreditation processes, institutional evaluations, or quality assurance reviews.
6. Experience in developing and reviewing minimum criteria for registration and accreditation of higher education institutions and programmes.
7. Experience in coordinating networking, partnerships, linkages and benchmarking with local and international bodies.

COMPETENCIES AND ATTRIBUTES

The ideal candidate must demonstrate:

1. Thorough knowledge of legal instruments used for registration and accreditation of higher education institutions.
2. Competence and ability to represent the higher education sector at the highest level nationally and internationally.
3. Ability to manage a diverse team and improve relationships.
4. Excellent leadership and management skills.
5. Ability to work under minimal supervision.
6. Ability to set the strategic direction of the department.
7. A broad awareness of the factors and conditions shaping the development of higher education.
8. Thorough understanding of national and international development agendas.
9. Ability to mentor others.
10. Ability to work with high ethical standards.

TENURE OF THE POST AND REMUNERATION PACKAGE

The successful candidate shall hold office for a period of three (3) years as a negotiable performance-related contract. The candidate shall be offered an attractive salary and benefits commensurate with the seniority of the position and their qualifications.

MODE OF APPLICATION
Eligible candidates who meet the required conditions should submit their applications, which must include an application letter, a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) giving names and addresses of three traceable referees (including that of an immediate past employer if applicable), and copies of their relevant qualifications under confidential cover, on or before 5th October, 2026 to:
VAC: NCHE DRAS (Director of Registration and Accreditation Services)

The Comptroller of Statutory Corporations
P.O. Box 30061
Lilongwe 3
MALAWI

Only shortlisted applicants shall be acknowledged and invited for interviews.